Anjali Rooney performing with her ‘family’ on stage at Beef & Boards

For someone who is just 12 years old, having all of your extended family living in other countries might seem lonely.

Anjali Rooney. (Submitted mug)

But for Anjali Rooney of Carmel, this situation created the opportunity for her to find kinship in other places.

“I do not have any extended family in Indiana as all of my family lives in either Ireland or South Africa,” Rooney stated. “My theater friends in Indiana are now my second family.”

And from Feb. 21 through March 8, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is the place they call home, as Rooney performs with the Red Choir in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

“I have performed with half of the current Joseph cast in numerous shows around Indy,” she noted.

Her resume has continued to grow over the past six years, all in an effort to reach her goal: becoming an actor on Broadway. And this show’s message resonates with her.

“I really love this story,” Rooney said. “It shows us that no matter where you come from and whatever people’s opinions are of you, never give up. Follow your dreams, always try your best and you can truly become whatever you want to be.”

For Rooney, that dream is to be on stage.

“I love being able to tell a story,” she said. “In real life, if you suddenly break out into song or dance, people will think you are crazy. That’s what I love about theatre. It gives me the opportunity to step into someone else’s shoes and have fun being completely different.”

When she’s not performing, Rooney enjoys playing table tennis, singing at cabarets and playing the violin. She is the daughter of Jini and Terence Rooney of Carmel.

For more, visit beefandboards.com. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is sponsored in part by Current Publishing.